Apparatus for guiding traveling webs



Feb. 24, 1959 J. R. KELLY APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 8, 1956 INVENTOR J ACK REED KELLY 837W ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1959 J. R. KELLY APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 8, 1956 CONTROL STATION INVENTOR J ACK REED K ELLY Bymp fim ATTORNEYS J. R. KELLY APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS Feb. 24, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 8, 1956 FIG.4.

INVENTOR J A c K REE 0 K ELLY l l U J. R. KELLY 2,fi74,961

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS Feb. 24, 1959 Filed Nov. 8, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.8. 76 s5 65 INVENTOR J AC K REED KELLY ATTORNEYS Feb. 24, 1959 J, KELLY 2,874,961

APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS INVENTOR J AC'K REED KELLY w pag/ww ATTORNEYS United States Patent r 2,874,961 APPARATUS FOR GUIDING TRAVELING WEBS Jack Reed Kelly, Kennett Square, Pa., assignor to The Pusey & Jones Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application November 8, 1956, Serial No. 621,119

24 Claims. (Cl. 2712.6)

The present invention relates to new and improved means for guiding traveling webs, such as endless wires and felts in paper making machines and the like; elongated paper, plastic, textile, or other sheets, traveling from one point to another; and sheet metal or foil or any other kinds of web-like material being drawn from a source to a reeler, cutter, slitter, or other apparatus.

The principal object of the invention is to improve the accuracy of web-guiding devices, by eliminating over-correction and substantially entirely eliminating hunting.

A further object of the invention is to improve and simplify the web-shifting means, which preferably takes the form of a movable guide roll over which the material passes, and to improve and simplify its supporting and moving means.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting a web guide roll for transaxial movement and to provide improved means for elfecting the movement thereof.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for feeling and following the edge of the web to be guided. To this end, the invention aims to provide improved adjustments in the feeler mechanism and in the elements in said mechanism which are responsive to movements of the device which actually makes contact with the web edge, commonly termed a palm in the art.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a web edge feeler mechanism, an improved, adjustable lost motion connection between the palm and the signal transmitting device forming a part of the mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved fluid circuits between the feeler mechanism and the guide roll position-controlling mechanism, to eliminate overcorrection and to prevent hunting of the guide roll and the web traveling thereover. To accomplish this aim, the invention employs devices in which the pressures on opposite sides of movable pressure-responsive elements are maintained equal at a plurality of positions of the elements for a plurality of positions of a controlling or signaling device, so that, when the position of the signaling device changes, said pressure conditions change until the movable pressure-responsive elements in the system have reached new positions of balance, whereupon they remain in their new positions until the signaling device calls for another change.

Preferably, the system employs pneumatic devices under the control of a mechanical feeler mechanism, including an edge-following palm, adapted, through novel adjustable elements, to transmit motion to a pneumatic signaling device which, in turn, controls the delivery of variable pressure, signal air, either through a modulator or amplifier, or directly, to a pressure responsive device for controlling the delivery of motivating or supply air to a pneumatic motor at varying, controlled pressures, so

that the latter will shift its position in order to reach 2,874,961 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 2 t a condition of balance and, in so doing, shift the guide roll to which it is operatively connected. I Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide means for shifting a guide roll to predetermined positions in accordance with predetermined movements of, and positions assumed by, an element actuated by an edge-following palm, and to maintain the guide roll at such positions until the movement of the element calls for a new position. This system is fundamentally different from prior pneumatic or hydraulic systems in which valves, shifted by edge followers were arranged to deliver fluid under pressure to either end of a fluid motor, and to exhaust fluid to atmosphere from the other, to cause movement of the driven member until the web had shifted sufficiently in its travel to move the feeler and the valve to the opposite position, whereupon fluid would be directed to the other end of the motor with the result that the motor and the roll would travel in the opposite direction until again arrested or reversed after an undesired degree of over-correction. These devices often resulted in continuous hunting by the guide roll and the edge of the web. The fundamental difference is that in accordance with the present invention, the motor and guide roll may assume an infinite number of positions of balance, under the control of the feeler mechanism, whereas in the prior art, the motors and rolls could assume only one position of balance, with the fluid delivery valve at the mid-point, delivering fluid pressure either to bothends of the motor under equal pressure, or to neither.

Another object is to provide a gauge actuated by pressure at a particular point in the system to indicate the position of the guide roll over which the web is travelling.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description of a number of preferred embodi ments of the invention shown for purposes of illustration in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing the essential elements of the system of the present invention connected in the Pneumatic circuit;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of the control station, the palm mechanism, and the guide roll;

Figure 3 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the palm mechanism, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a vertical section of Figure 4 with certain parts shown in elevation;

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse section on lines 6--6 of Figure 5; r

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical section of the air motor and the control head therefor, for determining the position of the guide roll;

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical section of the signal transmitter, actuated by the palm mechanism; and

Figure 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic vertical section of the air controller interposed between the signal transmitter and the control head of the air motor.

As indicated above, the traveling web 20 may be a sheet of flexible material of any desired kind, but in the following description, it will be assumed to be an endless wire or felt associated with a paper making machine; such as a Fourdrinier wire or a press felt. The webv is trained over a plurality of rolls in accordance with conventional practice and over a guide roll 21, along a substantially horizontal run, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-3. The roll is journalled at one end, preferably at the driving side of the machine, in a bearing 22, pivoted for oscillation about a central, vertical axis. At its other end, preferably at thetendiug side, theroll is journalled in a bearing 23, supported for transaxial shifting movement, as hereinafter explained. The support comprises a 'flat plate casting 25, having an integralupstanding flange 26 at one end thereof.

Upon the upper surface of the plate casting 25, there is a self-lubricating guide track element 27, upon which a motor housing 28 is mounted for linear translational movement-along a path parallel to the direction of movement of the web 20. The motor housing 28 has ribs and grooves on its lower surface, mating with the track 27, to prevent lateral movement thereof. The motor housing 28 has a flat, planar upper surface 30, upon which the base 31 of the bearing 23 is supported, preferably for limited pivoting movement about the axis of a positioning pin 32. Thus, when movements are imparted to the motor housing 28, as explained below, the position of the bearing 23 and of the adjacent end of the roll is shifted and the roll is caused to pivot about the central vertical axis 'of thebearing 22 at the far end of the roll, as illustrated in'Figure 3. As is well understood in the art, such shifting of a guide roll causes the web traveling thereover to creep toward the closest end of the roll; that is, toward the end of the roll first contacted by the web. The web edge follower mechanism, best shown in Figures '4, 5, and 6, 'is preferably located in proximity to the guide roll 21 and, in most cases, in advance of the "roll so that it is contacted by the web before the latter travels over the roll. The mechanism comprises a feeler plate or palm 35 which may be rectangular in shape, with its leading and trailing edges curved rearwardly, as indicated at 36 and 37. The palm has a rearwardly projecting stud 38 having threaded engagement with a socket formed in the forward end of a rod casting 39 which preferably has an X-section, as shown in Figure 6 and is provided with hollow, transverse bosses 40 and 41 at spaced points, in which stub shafts are mounted as indicated at 42, 43. The shaft 42 is supported at its ends in the bifurcated lower end of a hanger 44, pivoted at its upper end upon a shaft 45 carried by the hood or housing 46. The stub shaft 43 is similarly mounted in the lower bifurcated end 47 of a hanger 48, pivoted at its upper end upon a shaft 49, similarly carried by the housing 46. Thus, the palm 35 is mounted for forward and rearward swinging movements on a relatively flat arc with the pivoting movement of hangers 44 and 48 about parallel axes of the shafts 45 and 49. A pair of springs 50 and 51, connected between the hangers 44 and 48, as shown, urge the assembly forwardly to maintain the palm 35 in contact with the edge of the travellingweb 20. j

The hangers or levers 44 and 48 are also interconnected by an upper rod 52 carrying at its opposite ends, yoke elements 53, 54 pivotally connected to apertured lugs 55 or vertically elongated flanges on the hangers. Slidably mounted on the rod 52 are a pair of longitudinally adjustable abutment lugs 56 and 57 adapted to be secured in predetermined relation by appropriate set screws. Pivotcd to an appropriate flange 58 depending from the hood 46 is a lever 59 having its lower end straddling the rod 52 in the space between the adjustable lugs 56 and 57. Preferably, the lever comprises a pair of spaced plates 59a and 59b, interconnected at their upper ends and mounted for pivotal movement on a stud 60, with a friction brake arrangement, consisting of a spring 60a and washer 60b, associated therewith, to maintain the lever in the position to which it is moved by one of the lugs 56 or 57, until it is moved to a new position by one ofsaid lugs. The adjustability of the lugs 56 and 57 on the shaft 52 provides for any desired degree of lost motion, between the shaft 52 and the lever 59, from zero to the maximum, within practical. limits. V

The invention contemplates mounting the rod 52 for vertical adjustment relative'to the hangers 44 and 48. This may be done in many ways, for instance by substituting for the lugs 55, elongated webs or flanges and connecting the yokes 52 to the same at a plurality of different vertical positions, thereby to vary the effective distance of the rod 52 from pivots 45 and 49. This serves to vary the length of travel of rod 52, per degree of swinging movement of hangers 44 and 48.

The lever 59 is provided adjacent its upper end with an aperture 59a, in which the laterally turned endof a valve actuating stem 61 is disposed and secured in any appropriate manner.

It will be understood that the relationship between the lower end of the lever 59 and the lugs 56 and 57 on the rod 52 constitutes a lost motion connection to limit the transmission of motion from the palm 35 to the stem 61, to movements on the part of the palm of predetermined, adjustable magnitude. When the lugs are brought close together so that they are in substantially continuous contact with the lever 59, lost motion is substantially eliminated and all movements of the palm are transmittedfto the stem 61. On the other hand, the lugs may be separated, more or less as desired, so that motion is transmitted to the stem 61, in one direction or the other, only after a predetermined desired travel of the palm under the influence of the edge of the web. Moreover, by raising or lowering the position of the rod 52, more or lesser angular movement is imparted to the lever 59'for a predetermined travel of the hangers 44 and 48 and the palm mechanism.

The valve stem 61 constitutes the controlling valve stem of the pneumatic signal transmitter represented generally at 65 and which may be constructed substantially in accordance with the patent to C. B. Moore, No. 2,556,436, June 12, 1951. Reference is made to that patent for a full disclosure of the details of construction thereof.

Referring to Figure 1, control point pressure air under constant, predetermined pressure, for instance 25 p. s. i., is delivered to the signal transmitter 65 by a conduit 66 through port 67 therein. The air'may come from a suitable pressure regulator 68, receiving air at higher pressure from a header 69, to which the mill supply is delivered, after passing through a filter and moisture remover 70. A pressure gauge 71 is preferably connected into the line 66 so that the operator may observe the constant pressure supply delivered to the signal transmitter. l

The signal transmitter 65 has a delivery port 75, communicating with a signal air line 76, leading therefrom to a pneumatic modulating and amplifying device rep resented generally at 80. As pointed out in saidPatent 2,556,436, signal air is delivered at constant, adjustable, predetermined pressures to line 76, depending upon the position of valve stem 61. This pressure may vary through predetermined limits, for instance between 3 p. s.i. and 15 p. s. i., with the valve stem at its opposite limits of movement and with the pressure at 9 p. s. i., when the valve stem is at its mid-point. Thus, if the stem is moved to a position halfway between its midpoint and its limit in one direction, the delivered pressure will be 6 p. s. i., while if moved halfway toward its other limit of movement, it will be 12 p. s. i. The arrangement is such that pressure conditions on opposite sides of the main diaphragm 71 are brought into balance for any position of the stem 61 and its valve. As explained in the above identified patent, there is a constant, though variable, discharge of air to atmosphere from the signal transmitter 65, through a vent associated with the pressure controlling diaphragm 71 (25 in the patent).

Thus, air under variable, regulated pressure flows cons'tantly to the controller 80, which is similar in principle to the signal transmitter, but delivers air at varying pressufe's depending upon, and in adjustable pr'opoft'ion to,

branch line 66a.

and including a re-set rate adjusting knob 106'. the controller may include a throttling unit 107 having transmitter 65. Conduit 76 leading from the signal transmitter delivers variable pressure signal air through a port 81 to a chamber 82. Higher pressureair at constant pressure from line 66 is delivered to the device 80 by a Modulated signal air at variable pressure is delivered through an outlet port 83 to conduit 84, leading to the control head 85 of the airmotor, represented generally at 86, housed within the casing 28. Since the housing 28 is moutned for relative movement,

line 84 contains a flexible section 84'.

Supply or motivating air at relatively high pressure is delivered to the control head 85 of the motor 86, by a conduit 87 having flexible section 87' therein and connected to an inlet port 88. This supply air is delivered at a relatively high constant pressure, such as 60 p. s. i., from a pressure regulator 89, receiving air from the p header 69.

The motor 86 preferably comprises a cylinder 90 mounted within the housing 28 and having a head 91 at one end, closed except for an opening 92 through which a piston rod 93 extends in fluid tight relation. The exterior end of the piston rod 93 is fixedly secured as by the control head 85, through a port 98 by a conduit 99 having a flexible section 99' therein, leading from a pressure regulator 100, receiving air from the header 69. Thus, air at constant pressure is delivered to one end 97 of the cylinder, preferably at anintermediate pressure, such as 30 p. s. i.

The control head 85 may be constructed substantially in accordance with United States Patent No. 2,653,578, with the exception that the head is arranged horizontally instead of vertically and delivers controlled amounts of. motivating air to the lefthand end 97' of the cylinder 86, instead of to a large diaphragm actuating. chamber. The arrangement is such that, dependingupon the pressure of the modulated signal air delivered through conduit 84, varying amounts of air will be delivered to the end 97' of cylinder 90, causing relative movement between the piston 96 and cylinder 86 in one direction or the The pressure regulator unit 105 may be constructed in accordance with standard Moore designs and receives air under predetermined, regulated pressure from passage 109 which is in communication with the supply conduit 66a, furnishing air at 25 p. s. i. in the example given above. Depending upon the adjustment of the knob 105, control point air is delivered at variable pressures from substantially zero to a maximum of 25 p. s. i.,

other, depending upon whether the effective pressure on i one side of the piston is greater than that on the other. Since the piston is fixed, the cylinder 86 and its housing 28 will move relative thereto. The control head 85 includes a spring 101 interposed between the piston 96 and a diaphragm 162, but this spring exerts no substantial force tending to move the cylinder relative to the piston. On the contrary, it corresponds to the spring 22 in the above identified patent, and cooperates with the valves in the head, to control the flow of supply air to the chamber 97, to create balanced conditions on opposite sides of the piston when predetermined relative positions have been reached, corresponding to the pressure of themodulated signal air delivered by conduit 84.

The controller indicated generally at 80, may be a device which is commercially availableof the kind having incorporated therein, a control point setting regulator, for controlling the pressure of the air against which the measured variable pressure air or signal air is balanced,

the regulator being indicated generally at 105 and including an adjusting knob 105. Second, the controller 80 may include a re-set unit indicated generally at 106 Next,

associated therewith a proportional band adjustment knob 107'. Finally, the device includes a booster pilot valve unit, or modulator unit 108, which delivers the output, modulated signal air through the port 83 to conduit 84. t t

through a conduit represented diagrammatically at 111 to a chamber 112, separated from the chamber 82 by diaphragm 113. In the example given above, this control point pressure is set at 9 p. s. i., and balances the pressure in chamber 82 when the palm 365 and valve stem 61 are at their mid-point, as the signal transmitter delivers signal air at this pressure tothe chamber 82 under such conditions. By changing the control point pressure in chamber 112, the pressure, in chamber 82, required to balance the controller will be changed, thereby changing the normal position of the palm 35 and valve stem 61 for the reason that, only when the valve stem is so changed will the signal air delivered by the signal transmitter be correspondingly changed in pressure.

Moreover, by makingradical changes in the pressures delivered from the regulator, by extreme manual adjustments of the knob .105, relatively great changes in the output modulated signal air pressure delivered to the control head may be made, independently of the position of the palm, thereby eflecting manual control of the position of the guide roll.

The knob 107' is the proportional band adjustment knob and serves to vary the ratio between changes in signal air pressure delivered to the controller and output or modulated signal air pressures delivered therefrom to the control head of the air motor. At one ex treme position when the valve 107a is fully open, a very small change in the pressure of the signal air delivered to chamber 82 will result in a relatively great change in the modulated air pressure delivered through port 83 to pipe 84, resulting in extreme movement of the motor. This condition establishes the minimum proportional band of the controller, as minimum changes of the signal air received result in maximum changes in the pressure of the modulated signal air delivered. At the other extreme, when the proportioning band adjustment valve 107a is closed, there will be no flow of air to the intermediate chamber 116, above the diaphragm 117 so that this chamber becomes ineffective. In this case, the range of changes in the pressure of the signal air received by the controller will substantially equal the range of changes in the modulated air pressure delivered by the controller or, in any event, the two will be more nearly equal. This condition represents the maximum proportional band of the controller.

The area of the central diaphragm 113 is equal on both sides, while the areas of the upper and lower diaphragms 117 and 118 are also equal to each other, but greater than that of the former. Thus, when pressures in chambers 82 and 112 are equal, the diaphragms are balanced. If the signal air pressure in chamber 82 increases, a downward force will result, due to the larger size of diaphragm 118 as compared to 113. Air nor-- mally flows from passage 109 through a restricted orifice 119 to the space above a lower, vented diaphragm 120 and through nozzle 121, its flow being restricted by a nozzle seat 122 carried by the central post 124 of the diaphragm assembly. When the diaphragm assembly moves downwardly, therefore, the pressure above the lower diaphragm 120 increases, forcing the latter downwardly and opening valve 125, permitting relatively high pressure air to flow from line 66a to the chamber below the diaphragm 120 and from the latter to the port 83 and conduit 84, to the control head of the air motor. This output or modulated Signal air pressure also flows. upwardly through a passage represented diagrammatically -.con'trol1er. V If the valve 1070 is partially closed, there will be proino zzle seat'122until conditions are again balanced. Until the-pressure below the diaphragm 118 balances the f'changed pressure in'the chamber 32, the diaphragm will not rise to permit the valve 125 to'close, terminating the delivery of relatively high pressure. However, it valve 107a is open, partially or fully, air under pressure is delivered to the intermediate chamber 116, which exerts a downward force on the diaphragm assembly, making it necessary to build up a greater pressure in the charm- "-ber below diaphragm 118 before a condition of balance is reached;

If the valve 107a is wide ripen, the output or modu; i'lated signal air pressure is freely admitted from passage F126" into the intermediate chamber 116. A 'fixed area restriction 12? connects the intermediate chamber 116 with the space above the bottom surface of the re-set chamber 128 and below the diaphragm 129 therein, which space is normally vented to atmosphere; as explained below.

With the two orifices 167a and .127 in series, pressure in the intermediate chamber 116 will increase until it has established the pressure drop across restriction 127 required to equalize the flow into and out of the, intermediate chamber. in the wide open position, the 'valve opening 167a is large compared to the restriction j 127. The pressuremust closely approach the output or modulated signal pressure presentin passage 126,'to

establish a relatively high drop across the restriction 121, t

yequalizing the flow rates.

Pressure increase in the intermediate chamber 116 :addsto the force in the same direction as the original force in chamber 82 and the output or modulated signal "pressure must increase further in the space belowdia- 35 phragm 118 in an attempt to establish equilibrium. It

becomes apparent that an increase in pressure in the T intermediate chamber 116 is in a direction to prevent a force balance; and if the valve is fully open, so that :in-termediate pressure-nearly equals output or modulated signal pressure, a very small increase inthe'pre'ssure of the input signal air is sufficient, to increase the output, modulated signal air pressure to its extreme. This condition establishes the minimum proportional band of the it portionally less flow through it. Thus, the intermediate pressure need not increase as much in order to establish V an equal flow rate, into-and out of the chamber 116, and

the output or modulated signal air pressure will not inf crease to its extreme in order to balance the lower pressure. Any proportional hand between the two extremes can thus be obtained by varying the opening of the valve The functionof the re-set chamber 128 and related-' parts will now be explained. If the change in input sig- 'nal air pressure is caused by a condition in the apparatus being controlled, tending to make the traveling web take an abnormal positionsubs'tantially permanently, it will be necessary to maintain the movable guide roll at a news. position. A different modulated signal pressure, re-

I quiring force, is necessary to maintain the guide roll at this new position. Ina controller omitting the re-set feature and relying upon the proportional band only, the

' put or modulated signal air pressure extends upwardly to i chamber is closed near its bottom by the flexible diaphragm phragm 125? receives air from the restriction 1 27 and exhausts ants atmosphere through passage 130, having: its inner, upper end in the form of a nozzle 131, controlled by a nozzle seat 132, carried by the diaphragm 129. Additionally, air from the constant pressureiair supply conduit 109 is delivered through a restricted orifice 133 I of theopeningof valve 106a adjusts the re-set time; The

diaphragm 129, nozzle 131-, nozzle seat 132, 'exhaust 130, inlet 133, and outlet 127 to the intermediate chamber constitute a relay, to produce in the chamber 116 the pressure in the chamber 128 in aone to one ratio,wit h= out relying upon flow of air to the chamber throughthe proportional band adjustment band 167a. When pressure iin chamber 128 rises, diaphragm 129 and nozzlel's'eat 132' restrictjtheexhaust passage, more or less, .rlesulting in an increase in pressure and a flow of air from the [if e Correct chamber below the diaphragm 129 through restriction 1 27 to the intermediate chamber 116 to raise the pressure therein.v

pressure has been established in the'inter'- mediate'chamber'llti through proportional action by .delivery throughvalve 107a, the additional re-set pressure will require an increase in the intermediate. pressure to maintain the required drop. This pressure is in ad'ditio'n .to thatrequired for proportional action alone jandlthe added force permits the output or modulated signal pressure to reduce until it equals the control point air pressure At this time, the re-set action has been completed. 1 J

in many casesQthe re-set section of the controller may be omittedentirely, as it is. often unnecessary to provide means in the controller for compensating for conditions of substantially permanentor long lasting maladjustment in the machine. Moreover, such conditionscanbecor- "rected otherwise, andthe apparatus has been used successfully without this feature. I

Similarly, the proportional band adjustment may be dispensed with, ifrsubstan'tially constant conditions arepresent in the machine being controlled, so that a single proportion or ratio between signal pressures and output or modulated signal pressures may be employed at all times The control point setting regulator or pressure regulator 10 5, forming a part of the controller shown in Figure 9, may, of course, be physically disassociated from the controller and may take the form of an independent pressure regulator, delivering air pressure to the controller at the control point Slat the desired pressure. 7

In fact,'in many installations, depending upon the power 7 required to shift the guide roll, the rapidity of response desired, and the degree of movement in relation tothe degree of movement of the palm, it is possible to eliminate force must come from a difference between the'constant',"

control point pressure delivered to chamber 112 and the signal pressure delivered to chamber 82, and the signal air pressure will not equal the selected control point pressure. The difliculty may be overcome by applying the force necessary to'maintain the new output or modulated signal pressure, to the diaphragm assembly from the intermediate chamber 116, provided means are incorporated in "the apparatus for changing the intermediate'pressure in- "dependently of the series restrictions provided by" valve the controller llentirely and to deliver signal air directly from'thesignal transmitter to the controller 85, associated with the guide roll shifting motor. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the use of the controller 80 or its equivalent. Such a controller, howevenaddsto the versatility and flexibility of the system as a whole and is usually recommended, particularly for paper machine work.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention ,beendescribed' abovewith considerable particularity and b rieterence tolcertain patents showing; and des details of construction not set forth in this specificatl must be understood that the invention is not limited to.

such details, but includes all modifications and equivalents coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A guide for a traveling web such as a wire or felt comprising an edge follower movable in response to variations in the position of the web edge, a fluid flow trans-- fluid pressure so delivered to cause the motor element to assume definite predetermined positions throughout its range corresponding to dilferent predetermined pressures, and means for causing the pressure of. the fluid delivered to said motor to vary in accordance with variations in the pressure of the fluid delivered by said transmitter.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the last mentioned means includes means for adjustably varying the rate of flow of fluid delivered to said motor, to vary the degree of response of the motor to changes in the pressure of fluid delivered by the transmitter.

different, predetermined pressures and to remain at said positions until said pressures are changed.

7. A guide for a traveling web such as a wire or felt comprising an edge follower movable in response to variations in the position of thc web edge, apneumatic flow transmitter having a movable element operatively connected to said follower and movable in .response thereto through a predetermined range, said transmitter including means for receiving from a source, air under constant pressure and means for delivering a flow of signal air therefrom at different predetermined pressures through a predetermined range in accordance with differentpredetermined positions of said element, a guide. roll 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the last mentioned means includes means for adjustably varying the ratio of the pressure of the fluid delivered to said motor, to the pressureof the fluid delivered by the transmitter, to vary the, degree of response of the motor to changes in the pressure ,of the transmitter delivered fluid.

4. A guide for a traveling web such as a wire or felt, comprising an edge follower movable in response to variations in the position of the web edge, a pneumatic flow transmitter havinga movable element operatively connected to said follower and movable through a predetermined range in response thereto, said transmitter comprising means for delivering air at different prededetermined pressures throughout a predetermined range in accordance with different predeterminedpositions of said element, a guide roll supported at one end fortransaxial movement, pneumatic means for moving the roll support comprising means for receiving control air at variable pressures, means responsive to variations in the control air pressure for shifting the roll support to a plurality of predetermined positions in accordance with a corresponding number of predetermined different pressures in the control air, and means for varying the pressure of the control air in accordance with changes in the pressure of the signal air delivered by said transmitter.

5. A guide for a traveling web such as a wire or felt, comprising an edge follower shiftable in accordance with changes in the position of the edge of the traveling web, a guide roll having a journal at one end mounted for transaxial movement, means for moving said journal comprising a fluid motor assembly having a movable element connected to the journal, means for delivering air to the motor at varying pressure to vary the position of said movable element and means responsive to the position of the edge follower for controlling the pressure of the air delivered to .the motor.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said fluid motor comprises a cylinder and piston assembly having relatively movable elements, means causing said elements to assume definite predetermined relative positions upon the delivery thereto of air at definite,

having an end supported for transaxial movement through a predetermined range, a fluid motorhaving a driven element operatively connected to said roll and for moving the same through its range, means for delivering supply air under varying pressures to said motor to cause said element to assume definite positions throughout its range corresponding to changes in the pressure of said supply air, and means controlled by the pressure of signal air for varying the pressure of the supply air in proportion thereto.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 characterized in that the operative connection between the edge follower and the movable element of the flow transmitter includes a lost motion connection.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 characterized in that the operative connection between the edge follower and the movable element of the flow transmitter includes an adjustable lost motion connection.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the lastmentioned means comprises an air flow con troller comprising means for receiving high pressure air at constant pressure, means for receiving signal. air

at varying pressures, and means for delivering modulated signal air to the motor at different predetermined pressures through a predetermined range in accordance with different predetermined pressures of said first signal air.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the last mentioned means comprises an adjustable air controller having means for receiving air from a source at a constant pressure, means for receiving said signal air at variable pressures, means for delivering modulated signal air at adjustable rates and at pressures directly proportionate to the pressure of the first signal air, means for varying the ratio between the pressures of first and modulated signal air, means, for receiving the'modulated signal air at variable pressures, means for receiving from aseparate source, supply air under predetermined, constant, relatively high pressure and means for delivering the latter air to said motor at different pressures proportionate to the pressure of the modulated signal air.

12. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for adjustably varying the ratio between the distance of movement of the fluid motor element and the distance of movement of the element associated with the flow transmitter, whereby the movable end of the guide roll may be moved variable and controlled amounts in response to a given movement of the last mentioned element.

13. In combination, an expansible chamber fluid motor of the type in which the movable element thereof is adapted to be moved to, and remain at, predetermined different positions in accordance with the delivery to said chamber of fluid at predetermined different pressures, a guide roll for a traveling web having an end supported for transaxial movement and connected to said element to derive movement therefrom, a web edge follower, and means actuated by the follower for controlling the delivery of fluid to said chamber at dilferent pressures livery of fluid to said chamber at different pressures in accordance with the different positions of the follower, to cause the roll to change its position in accordance with changes in the positions of the follower, and means for .adjusting' the pressure of fluid delivered to the motor independently of the follower actuated means 15. In combination, anexpansible chamber fluid motor of the type in which, the movable elernent thereof ;is ,,adapted to be moved to, and remain at, predetermined different positions in accordance with the delivery tosaid .-.chamber.' of fluid at predetermined different pressures, at guide roll for a traveling web having an endsupporte'd v for transaxial movement and connected to said element to derive movement therefrom, a web edge follower,

means actuated by the follower for controlling the de 12 a g 1 pp ra u miaj 'q a. 9 w hs 18 d a acterized in that the motion transmitting means includes anadjustablelcst motion connection. i

, 2Q. An apparatusin accordance with claim 19, in which Qthe l;ost motio1i connection is provided by an upper rod pivotally connected to the hangers at its ends and having thereon a pair of spaced apart longitudinally adjustable abutment lugs between which a part connected to the control element is disposed, V

I .21, .Anedge follower assembly comprising a substantially horizontalsupport, a pair of depending. hangers pivotally connected at their upper endsto the support, a substantially horizontal rod pivoted to said hangers adjacent their .lowenends andprojecting forwardly therefrom, a webedge follpwing palm carried by the forward 7 end of the arm, a second rod parallelto the first pivotally connected to tlie hangers between the upper and lower ends thereof; a pair of abutment elements rnountedfor longitudinal adjustment on thesecond rod, and a control leverpivoted to said support and having its lower end disposed between said abutment elements, the spacing livery of fluid to said chamber at different pressures in accordance with the different positions of the follower,

to cause the roll to change its position in accordance with changes in the positions of the follower, and means for adju'stably varying the effect of changes in the position of the follower in its control of the pressure of fluid I delivered to the motor. H Y i e 16. In combination, an expansible chamber fluid motor of the type in which the movable element thereof is adapted to be moved to, and remain at, predetermined different positions in accordance with the delivery to said chamber of fluid at predetermined different pressures, at guide roll fora traveling web having an endsupported for transaXial movement and connected to said element to derive movement therefrom, a web edge follower, ,ineans actuated bythe follower for controlling the de livery of fluid to said chamber at different pressures in accordance with the different positions of the follower,

. to cause the roll to change its position in accordance with changes in the positions of the follower, and means for adjustably varying the rate of response to changes inlthe position of the follower, of changes in pressure of fluid delivered to the motor. p

17. An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 characterized by the inclusion of a lost motion connection between the follower and the means for controlling the A delivery of fluid, whereby only movements of the follower of predetermined magnitude affect said means.

18. A web edge follower assembly comprising a pair of parallel, pivotally supported, depending hangers, a substantially horizontal rod pivotally connected to the hangers and projecting forwardly therefrom, a web edge following palm carried by the rod and arranged to impart swinging motion to the rod and hangers, a movable control element for shifting the position of a web guide roll, and means for transmitting said swinging motion of the rod and hangers to said element.

between the elements providing lost motion connection with, the control lever, i I

22: A web edge follower assembly comprising a pair of parallel, depending hangers pivotally supported at their upper ends, a substantially horizontal rod pivotally connected to the hangers, projecting forwardly therefrom, and

having at its forward end, a web edge-following palm, and means-tending to' swing the hangers,the rod, and the palm forwardly toward an adjacent web, the last men tioned means comprising tension spring means connected to the rear hanger at a substantial distance from its pivotal support and to the forward hanger a lesser distance there- 23. A webedge follower assembly comprising a housing of generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, a pair of parallel, depending hangers within the housing sup ported for swinging movement on parallel axes adjacent their upper ends, :1 depending control lever between the hangers, a lower rod pivotally connected to the hangers and having at its forward end an edge-following palm, an upper rod pivotally connected to the hangers above the lower one and having thereon, longitudinally adjustable abutment elements positioned in front of and behind the lower end of the control lever to provide an adjustable lost motion-connectiontherewith, a pneumatic flow transmitter carried by the housing and having a control stem projecting therefrom, and means for connecting said stem to the control lever.

24. Apparatus in accordance with claim 23, characterized in that said upper rod is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to the hangers.

' maniacs Cited in the file of this patent 4 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,303,533 Perm- Dec. 1, 1942 2,639,483 Wester May 26, 1953 

